Biopic The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers, which ran in cinemas last summer (04) ahead of December's broadcast on cable channel HBO, garnered Outstanding Lead Actor In A Miniseries Or A Movie for Geoffrey Rush, Outstanding Directing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special for Stephen Hopkins and Outstanding Writing For A Miniseries, Movie Or A Dramatic Special for Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely.

Other big winners at the star-studded bash in Los Angeles' Shrine Auditorium include desert island drama Lost, which was named Outstanding Drama Series and Outstanding Directing For A Drama Series for JJ ABRAM's awesome pilot episodes, DESPERATE HOUSEWIVES for Outstanding Directing For A Comedy Series for CHARLES McDOUGALL's pilot episode and Outstanding Lead Actress In A Comedy Series for Felicity Huffman, while Boston Legal picked up Outstanding Supporting Actor In A Drama Series for William Shatner and Outstanding Lead Actor In A Drama Series for James Spader.

There was a sombre mood at this year's Emmys; host ELLEN DeGENERES paid tribute to the victims of Hurricane Katrina and Outstanding Lead Actress In A Drama Series winner Patricia Arquette, who won for MEDIUM, offered her "respect and gratitude" to volunteers and aid workers helping the residents of the Gulf states and prayed for US soldiers fighting in Iraq to "come home safe and sound".

Gwyneth Paltrow's actress mother Blythe Danner recalled her late husband, producer Bruce Paltrow when she accepted her Outstanding Supporting Actress In A Drama Series trophy for HUFF, saying, "I think my husband Bruce Paltrow is up there, stirring this up for me," adding "Let's get the heck out of Iraq."